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Wake Up Sleepy Buddha: The Buddhist Path in Practice

Location icon
375 Panterkill Road PO Box 70 Phoenicia, NY 12464 United States
Date
February 4 - 7, 2027

About this Retreat

Your Guides

Details of this retreat

This retreat introduces core Buddhist practices beyond mindfulness in a way that is accessible, experiential, and rooted in traditional wisdom. It is welcome to both newer meditators and those with an established practiced who are looking for a  clear orientation or refresher.

The retreat offers a grounded, experiential introduction to the broader Buddhist path, emphasizing direct practice, integration into daily life, and trust in our innate capacity for awareness and compassion - our buddha nature. Rather than focusing on doctrine, scholarship, or religious identity, the teaching remain rooted in traditional sources while meeting the realities of contemporary life.

Participants will explore a survey of integrated practices drawn from across the Buddhist spectrum, including contemplation, concentration, compassion, and insight. These practices are presented in contemporary language while honoring their traditional roots and interrelationship.

This retreat offers a clear, grounded bridge between introductory mindfulness and the living heart of Buddhist practice.

This retreat is well-suited for meditators, therapists, helpers, and anyone seeking depth without dogma, and a clear bridge between mindfulness and the living heart of Buddhist practice.



Schedule:

Thursday, February 4

3 - 6 pm Arrival & Check In
6 - 7 pm Dinner
7:30 - 9 pm Welcome Session -Brief overview of Buddhist Path

Motivation/Intention & Precious Opportunity Contemplations
Discussion and direct practice
Dedication of Merit discussion



Friday, February 5

7 - 7:30 am Optional Early Practice Session: Introduction to Tsa Lung Trulkhor (optional morning practice)
8 - 9 am Breakfast
9:30 am -12 pm - Morning Session: Elaborate overview of Buddhist Path and Practices

Introduction of Refuge, Generating Bodhicitta
Introduce concept of Unconditional Love via cross section of Modern Attachment


12:30 -1:30 pm Lunch
2 - 5:30 pm - Afternoon Session: Basic Mindfulness

Advances Concentration through the Stages of Asanga’s Elephant Path


6 - 7 pm Dinner
7:30 - 9 pm - Evening Session: Introduction of Tantric Visualization Practices

Introduction of Guru Yoga & direct practice



Saturday, February 6

7 - 7:30 am Optional Early Practice Session: Tsa Lung Trulkhor Practice Session (optional morning practice)
8 - 9 am Breakfast
9:30 am -12 pm - Morning Session: Introduction of Emptiness/Insight Practices

Contemplations Meditations
Emptiness of Self Direct Investigation Practice
Revisit Mindfulness


12:30 - 1:30 pm Lunch
2 - 5:30 pm - Afternoon Session: Emptiness of Thought

Emptiness of Sensory Experiences
Emptiness of Emotional Experiences
Practicing Mindfulness with the Field of Awareness itself as the object)
All phenomena as empty practice


6 - 7 pm Dinner
7:30 - 9 pm - Evening Session: Revisit afternoon insight practices

Sunday, February 7

7 - 7:30 am Optional Early Practice Session

Tsa Lung Trulkhor Practice Session (optional morning practice)


7 - 11 am Check out of rooms
8 - 9 am Breakfast
9:30 am -12 pm - Closing Session: Review of program

Bringing all practices together
Program closing


12:30 - 1:30 pm Lunch & Departure

*Please note this schedule is subject to change.

Getting Here

Location icon Menla, 375 Panterkill Road PO Box 70 Phoenicia, NY 12464 United States

Accommodation

Deluxe Queen

Accommodation
Deluxe Queen Room with Queen Bed and Private Bathroom Free Phone and Hi-Speed Wifi Internet Access Available Air Conditioning All Rooms in Lhasa are Handicap-Accessible, Including Four Rooms with Wheelchair Accessible Showers. Deluxe Queen Rooms are Available in Lhasa Inn and Kathmandu House * Please note that rates include meals and accommodations

Economy Single - Shared Bath

Accommodation
Standard Single Room with a Twin Bed and Shared Bathroom Bathroom is Shared with One to Six Other Guests on Your Floor. A phone is not available but high-speed WiFi is available in the room Phone Access Available in Nearby Conference Center and also Lhasa in Business Center. All calls are free of charge. This Lodging Type is not ADA Compliant. * Please note rates include meals and accommodations.

Economy Double - Shared Bath (Shared Room)

Accommodation
Standard Double with Twin Beds and Shared Bathroom The bathroom is Shared with other rooms on the same floor. High-speed Wi-Fi is available in the room. Phone Access Available in Nearby Conference Center and also Lhasa in Business Center. All calls are free of charge. This Lodging Type is not ADA Compliant. * Please note that rates include meals and accommodations * Please note: this is an open door policy room, meaning there are no keys to lock the door (we have lockers you can use at Lhasa if needed) * This booking is for one bed in a double shared room: We May Assign You Roommates if You Do Not Register with others

Customer Reviews

4.83 out of 5.0 average rating

5.0
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Just Perfect
My experience at Menla was exactly what I needed. It was quiet, serene, tranquil. The food was delicious! Aside from that, being able to be immersed in practice was glorious. I have not had the opportunity to be in practice in this was in almost 10 years. I fully enjoyed being able to practice every day, to hear about other people's practices and to once again learn from Cyndi Lee. I always refer to Cyndi as my teacher and It was truly wonderful to be able to hear the teachings again and continue to deepen my practice. I really loved this experience with great people in the perfect atmosphere.

5.0
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Silent retreat w Jayne
Amazing. Transformative. I’m still processing. The nature, the food, Menla is so amazing. The experience with the group, our facilitator m, was deeply healing.

5.0
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Cultivating Joy
Led by Jayne Gumpel, this retreat was a combination of guided meditation, forest bathing and making art. It created a loving atmosphere to go inside in a safe space. Jayne’s mantra is the group is the medicine and by the end of the retreat that became perfectly clear.

5.0
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Fantastic stay and retreat experience!
I was so impressed with the quality of my stay at Menla! The natural beauty that surrounds the campus is rejuvenating and peaceful! The food was exquisite and lovingly prepared! My room was beautiful and very clean. My retreat with Banafsheh was top-notch! Highly recommend Menla for your next retreat!

5.0
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aa hidden gem that will inspire you for what life used to be , great air, food, water, shelter, and great people!!
I just wish I knew about this place years and years ago. It is a piece of Paradise

with love to all of you at Menla
God bless Robert Thurman for what he created!!

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